Cambodia

Programme period: 1992 – 2012

ZOA started in Cambodia in 1992 because of the large numbers of displaced persons and returning refugees that resulted from the civil war in 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s. ZOA has worked with Cambodian refugees in Thailand before. When these people started to return to their broken country, ZOA came with them to support them in rebuilding their lives.

ZOA worked in the remote Northern province of Oddar Meanchey. This province attracted returning refugees and many others looking for a place to live. This resulted in an explosive growth in population, while basic facilities were insufficient and social cohesion was lacking. The ZOA programme focused at agricultural improvement, capacity building and disaster risk reduction. Special attention was paid to inclusion of vulnerable groups like single mothers and the handicapped.

ZOA decided to phase out in 2012 because the people we supported experienced access to basic services, community governance and inclusion and peace and stability. ZOA has handed over all its activities to local partners.

The programme was funded by EuropeAid and ZOA the Netherlands (ZOA Business Ambassadors, emergency funds and private donors).